Wave excitation by a collapsing granule: insights from IFU observations and high-resolution RMHD simulations

Abstract

Context. Granular collapse is an ubiquitous process of granular evolution on the solar surface, but it is hard to analyze in sufficient spatial, temporal, and spectral detail. Aims. We analyze the change in physical conditions in the photosphere during a specific granular collapse event and the subsequent atmospheric response. Methods. We contrast a high-resolution radiative magneto-hydrodynamic simulation of a granular collapse performed using the CO5BOLD code with the recent integral field unit observations carried out using the MiHI instrument at the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. Results. Our analysis shows that the observed and simulated granular collapse show remarkable similarity. Specifically, they both exhibit the signature of a wave pulse excited in the deep photosphere and visible up to the temperature minimum. This wave is detectable through a blue-wing emission in the observed and synthetic Na i D1 line. We also estimate the acoustic energy flux carried by the wave and analyze its initiation. Conclusions. Combining high-resolution IFU spectropolarimetry and state-of-the-art simulations of the solar lower atmosphere, this study showcases our current capabilities in identifying specific physical processes taking place during the granular collapse and their impact on the atmosphere above.